Harvey has earned respect of National League peers

By Chris Iseman / MLB.com

NEW YORK -- During his time working on Bruce Bochy's coaching staff at the All-Star Game, manager Terry Collins took the opportunity to get an assessment on Matt Harvey from a few of the National League's best players.

All of them complimented Harvey, for good reason. But the one from Cardinals outfielder -- and former Met -- Carlos Beltran stood out.

"I was talking to Carlos the other day in the outfield, and I asked him [about facing Harvey]," Collins said. "He said, 'Terry, in my career, he's the best I've ever faced.' That's a big statement from a guy who's faced the best of the best, in my opinion."

Harvey, who started against the Phillies on Sunday, is 7-2 with a 2.45 ERA in 19 starts this season, and he has 147 strikeouts in 130 innings. He's taken the Major Leagues by storm, earning the All-Star Game start at Citi Field in his first full season.

All of the players to whom Collins spoke lauded Harvey, but Collins said that even with all the praise, he wants Harvey to know his job is to get outs, and that he doesn't have to throw 98 mph each time to get them.

"Each and every start is important to him. I don't want this guy to think every time he goes out there he's got to be throwing 100 mph," he said. "Get outs. Whether they're 94 mph or 98 mph, get outs."

Some All-Stars told Collins that Harvey is so good it's almost unfair. Harvey can throw any of his pitches at any time because his command is so good. It could be a 3-1 count -- a typical fastball count -- but Harvey can throw a secondary pitch for a strike instead.

The high praise for Harvey isn't new, but to hear it coming from some of the best players in the NL means something extra.

"I just think it's a tremendous tribute to Matt and his stuff and how he competes," Collins said. "That's why every five days, it's an event."

Impressive Germen pitching himself into bigger role

NEW YORK -- His Major League resume is practically nonexistent, but Gonzalez Germen has already shown the Mets that he's capable of pitching in high-pressure situations.

On Saturday against the Phillies, with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth and the Mets clinging to a one-run lead, manager Terry Collins called Germen from the bullpen to pitch to Delmon Young.

With plenty of poise, the 25-year-old Germen struck out Young to end the inning. He ended up giving the Mets 1 2/3 scoreless innings without allowing a hit, and he struck out three en route to the Mets' 5-4 win.

It was another solid outing that earned him both his first Major League win and the praise of his manager. It might also have earned him a bigger role out of the bullpen.

"There's no reason why we shouldn't be using him more," Collins said. "Of course, he's only been here a week, and he's been in four games already. He's been very, very impressive."

In four appearances since making his Major League debut on July 12, Germen has a 2.45 ERA. He's allowed only one hit in 3 2/3 innings, and he has six strikeouts.

Catcher John Buck has been impressed with Germen, who goes right after hitters instead of "nibbling" the edges. Buck said Germen has a good fastball, a great changeup and a slider he can throw at any time.

With those quality pitches and a deceptive delivery, Germen has an arsenal that's been getting him big outs. For now he's been throwing mostly fastballs, but that could change.

"With him being fresh, a lot of guys don't know what he has," Buck said. "You can kind of use that. It works to his advantage right now. Maybe later, teams start seeing him more, we can mix it up a little bit more."

Germen's debut, in Pittsburgh, came in the bottom of the 11th inning. He walked two batters -- one intentionally -- and also struck out two. He surrendered the walk-off single to Jordy Mercer that handed the Mets the loss, but that was the last hit he's given up.

The next day, Collins sent Germen into the game in the bottom of the seventh with two outs. Germen got Gaby Sanchez to foul out to Buck.

Germen has given the Mets a quality arm in a bullpen that's been used plenty in recent games. Now he might be called on even more.

"One of the things we talked about in Spring Training is that we need to find some relief down the road," Collins said. "It looks like he might be the guy who steps up and gets that job."

Two video reviews work in Mets' favor vs. Phils

NEW YORK -- With the help of two video reviews, the Mets slugged two home runs that gave Matt Harvey some room to work en route to a 5-0 win over the Phillies on Sunday.

In the first inning, David Wright turned around on a 1-2 pitch from Cliff Lee, hitting it into the fence above the wall that runs in front of the Party City Deck in left.

Second-base umpire Tim Timmons immediately signaled that it was a home run, but the umpires reviewed the play. After 87 seconds, the call was upheld.

Three innings later, the Mets received some more help from the tape.

Juan Lagares sent a pitch from Lee right back to the area where Wright hit his home run. At first the umpires ruled it a double. Lagares sprinted out of the box, but as soon as the ball cleared the top of the fence, fans began yelling toward the field that it was a homer.

"I just ran hard," Lagares said, "and let the umpire make the decision."

The umpires went back in to review the play, and after a lengthier -- 90 seconds -- review, changed the call and ruled it a three-run homer that gave the Mets a five-run lead.

The two short stoppages in play were certainly worth the wait.

Turner could be back for Braves series

NEW YORK -- Justin Turner is close to being activated off the disabled list, but nothing has been decided just yet.

Turner's been on the DL since June 18 with a strained left intercostal. Before the injury he was hitting .266, with six doubles and six RBIs. Manager Terry Collins said there's a chance Turner will be back for the start of the series against the Braves on Monday.